Beat the Heat-I: How does heat affect your body and health?

The cold wave has already taken a back seat and it’s that time of the year when sunscreens, hats and sun protection have taken the top most places in your priority list. Well, most of you are right that the changing weather leaves a negative effect on your heath in more than one ways. In this series of ‘beat the heat’ this summer; let’s talk about how the heat of summers affect your body.

An average increase in the temperature is correlated with the occurrence of a plethora of heart related illnesses and even deaths. Warmer temperatures have the ability to raise the concentration of unhealthy air and water pollutants which can enhance the spread of some diseases.

The heat waves primarily lead to heat strokes and dehydration. Studies have suggested that most affected are the young children, older people, those with pre-existing medical conditions and poor people.

Migraine
There are numerous triggers causing that headache attack. A research study conducted in the year 2009 in United States has reported that the risk of a migraine attack increases by 7.5% with every 5°C rise in the temperature. Sun and heat are reported to be a common trigger along with stress, dehydration or too little sleep.

Lung diseases

Sounds strange? But it is true. People who are suffering with different lung diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis are extremely sensitive to changes in temperature. The hot weather has an adverse effect on breathing since there is a raised requirement of energy and oxygen to cool down the body. This is the reason for an increased incidence of symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

Skin problems

If you have a problem of eczema, then the heat of the summer is bad news for you. With an increase in temperature the sweat and itchiness increases making the skin more dry and flaky. Added to this skin suffering with eczema works poorly in managing temperature-control mechanism and hence you tend to get hot at a faster pace.

Diabetes and hot weather

People suffering with diabetes are also affected by heat, the major issue being dehydration and higher blood glucose concentrations. During hot weather there is an increased risk of hypoglycaemia as well in people who are taking medications for lowering blood glucose levels. Research conducted by the Joslin Diabetes Centre has suggested that due to a higher metabolic rate of the body during hot and humid weather; there are increased chances of the lowering of blood sugar levels or hypoglycaemia.

Heat exhaustion in summers

There is a risk of heat exhaustion which includes increased sweating, dizziness, cramping muscles, clammy skin, headaches, increased heart beat and nausea. This is more pronounced in people suffering with diabetes.

Heat and your mood

Yes. Research studies claim that temperature, humidity and hours of sunshine leave a profound effect on mood. High humidity increases sleepiness and reduces the ability to focus or concentrate. A rise in temperature makes you anxious and sceptical. But, the brighter side of the picture is that increased number of sunshine hours increases optimism. Humid and hot weather is the reason for a lack of vigour, elation and affection in you as reported in certain studies.

Children and heat

Babies and young children are extremely sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and are easily heat stressed. Prickly heat and heat stroke are the two major conditions affecting children as a result of hot temperatures. Prickly heat appears n those parts of the skin which stay moist and occur commonly during hot weather. It appears as a rash of tiny, red pin-head spots with blisters.

Loss of too much body water results in a rise in body temperature and is known as heat stroke. Severe cases can cause damage to body organs and may even be fatal in nature. Headache, muscle cramps, confusion, shortness of breath, dryness of eyes and mouth all occur during a heat stroke.